OR SACRED WRITINGS OF THE HINDUS. 409 



Dor those of men, do reach him, whom well in- 

 structed priests assist in celebrating the solemn 

 rite: he lives the full period of life; he remains 

 master of the whole earth.' 



The thirty-eighth chapter (or third of the eighth 

 book) describes a supposed consecration of Indra, 

 when elected by the gods to be their king. It 

 consists of similar, but more solemn, rites; in- 

 cluding, among other peculiarities, a fanciful 

 construction of his throne with texts of the Vtda ; 

 besides a repetition of the ceremony of conseci'a- 

 tion in various regions, to ensure imiversal domi- 

 nion. This last part of the description merits to 

 be quoted, on account of the geographical hints 

 which it contains. 



' After [his inauguration by Praja'patj], the 

 divine Vasiis consecrated him in the eastern region, 

 with the same prayers in verse and in prose, and 

 with the same holy words, [as before-mentioned,] 

 in thirty-one days, to ensure his just domination. 

 Therefore, [even now,] the several kings of the 

 Prachijas, in the East, are consecrated, after the 

 practice of the gods, to equitable rule (Slniirlijya); 

 and [people] call those consecrated princes, Ham- 

 raj*. 



' Next the divine Ruclras consecrated him in. 

 the southern region, with the same pra5'ers in 

 verse and in prose, and v/ith the same holy words, 

 in thirty-one days, to ensure increase of happiness. 

 Therefore, the several kings of the Satwats, in the 



* In the nominative case, Samrdt', Samrdd, or Sainr/il ; sub- 

 stituting in this plcice a liquid letter, which is peculiar to the Veda, 

 and to the southern dialects of India; and which approaches, iu 

 souiid, to the common L . 



